A/N: Yay! It's summer and I can focus on writing! Anyway, this is an awesome chapter. I hope you guys would like it.

Chapter 10: Training, Day Three

District 9 Diana Rose Ceres's POV

My mother. A vicious, mean, cruel being. District 9 escort. Turned her back on everything, ready to face Capitol life. Then here she was, standing outside my bedroom door, bellowing. "OPEN THIS DOOR RIGHT NOW OR I SWEAR DIANA. I WILL…"

I hurried for the door and opened it. "What? You already ruined my childhood! Don't make my remaining days hell." I bumped past her and began eating with Horax, our lone Victor. A few minutes later Clyde came in. She—I mean he—He was glaring at me like I killed his mother or something. Maybe he's just jealous I manage to not go below 17th place.

"What's your trick, Diana? How do you manage to impress those Gamemakers with those stupid snares?" He said a little roughly.

"Snare-setting is my specialty. My father always set up snares for the wolves or big dogs that might get the chickens, and I don't just do snares, Clyde. Yesterday I hopped from one tree to another. I threw knives. I am an expert sickle yielder." I said, my temper rising. This boy always wanted to be the top player. Sadly, twelve-year olds never gain victory in these kinds of Games. Neither do thirteen year olds like me.

After taking a shower and putting on my new set of tribute training clothes, I proceeded into the elevator. Clyde managed to come in with me. Awkward silence hung in the elevator. Thankfully it halted on our level quickly. The elevator doors opened to the long hallway leading to the training center. I ran to the room, eager to leave the twelve-year old behind. Almost everyone was inside the room. Hmm, what should I do today? I saw the D6 and D7 girl memorizing the edible plants table and figured I could join their alliance. I had to decide well. They could be the key to my survival or the bane of my existence. I could probably escape when I sense some trouble. I walked to the duo and looked. They were writing down the names of the edible plants. I saw rafflesia written on their list. I pointed the word on the paper and they jumped. "I came to say rafflesia can only be eaten by rabbits. Their stench is too strong you'd probably die before you can bite it. It's also huge."

"Oh, thanks. You have any allies?" Kyle asked. "I mean if . . ."

"No, no. I mean I definitely do not have any allies." I replied immediately.

"Well, you could probably join our alliance…if you'd like?"

"I would love it. Thank you so much." I said, smiling like I've found new friends.

District 9 Clyde Miller's POV

On the first day of training, I ran, I made a fire, I tried the ropes course but fell, I painted myself green, I used a sickle but it kept falling to the ground, and I tried memorizing the edible plants. I placed 19th. On the second day, I was more confident. I survived the ropes course (with a mind-boggling time of twenty minutes), I threw a knife which hit the wall target's shoulder, I passed the edible plants test with a score of 51 over 100. I hung a dummy. I ran and won second place. Then I was 23rd. Michelle had outdone herself that time. What did she do?

I didn't have any allies. Of course, nobody would want to ally with a twelve year old boy like me. I was weak, probably will just be heavy weight to them. Fiske is probably hiding his strengths. Me? I have no strengths. Hanna was best improved last night. She went from twenty to one. What trick will she do today?

I sit at the lounge. Ah, this is what I am good at. I thought. I closed my eyes. Suddenly I felt another body crash into the lounge. I opened my eyes a little and saw the D2 boy. His face was contorted in anger. I rose and saw the scene. The D2 boy, the D7 boy and Christian were all fighting. What was happening? I saw the D2 boy advance into Christian, and they fell to the ground. Beaurae ran to the duo on the floor. The D2 boy straddled on Christian's waist and punched his face repeatedly. I saw the D7 boy quietly leaving like it was just an ordinary day. Behind Beaurae were two medics. Beaurae shouted, "Stop fighting!" But the two did not stop. "Sedate them." She said to the medics, who approached the boys and injected them with who-knew-what. "And you, Mr. Oakley. Don't think you can escape this scene that quickly. One more shout, tease or push from you will result into sedation." The two unconscious bodies were delivered out of the training area.

I was still in shock. How did it…what? I tried to continue walking normally but the scene had crept the hell out of me. I was afraid. I shivered. I fell down.

District 10 Macon Artemisia's POV

I was walking to Kurt, who was waiting at the edible plants area, when suddenly the boy in front of me collapsed. I gasped and screamed. "Somebody, help!" Kurt's smile turned into worry and helped me carry the child. "Beaurae! This kid just suddenly collapsed!" Beaurae hurried to us and blew her whistle. "I NEED MEDICS HERE! AND A STRETCHER!"

Finally two medics arrived and removed the kid from our arms. It was the D9 boy, I realized. Ooh, I wished I had left him all alone. He was sometimes really annoying. Beaurae approached me and said, "Ms. Artemisia, thank you for helping Mr. Miller and alerting us of the incident."

"Oh, it's nothing. I mean . . . it's fine." I stuttered. I turned to Kurt, who immediately asked me if I was fine. "I'm good. You don't need to worry about me. It's okay. I'm okay. I'm okay."

"Let's take a break in the lounge first…You know, time to catch your breath first." Kurt said. I sighed. If only Kurt and I had a future… "Macon?" He asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" I replied shortly.

His voice then got all shaky. "I get dreams of you. Nightmares. You're lying dead in this abandoned amusement park and I just. I can't…I can't see you like that, Macon. It's just…It will kill me. It just happens every single night and I cringe. I long for every moment with you. I hate those times when we're forced to be separated from each other's arms. I love you."

My eyes got blurry and I knew I was about to cry. I laid my head on his chest. "I will dread the time when this heart stops beating…"

"It will stop beating some time, but every beat of my heart, I offer to you." Kurt whispered in my ear and I felt grateful I have him. I kissed him in that exact moment. I don't care if there are a lot of jealous freaks in this world; I just love him with my whole heart.

District 10 Kurt Caprin's POV

I whispered in Macon's ear, "Let's begin training. We don't want to let our sponsors down, do we?"

She rose, smiling. "I know it's not only for the sponsors. It's for your family." She offered me her hand and helped me up. "Where to now?"

"Well, you wanted to try the edible plants area." I replied. "It seems boring. I mean, someone has already tried that yesterday and topped yesterday's rankings. Surely the Gamemakers would want another 'one.'"

"Let's try going in together." Macon said, pointing to the simulation rooms. "I mean, it would greatly help our odds in surviving against these people."

"Fine." I walked to Beaurae and asked her if the simulation rooms can hold two people. She nodded, but it needed some extra programming, so she came with me. She went to the side of the room and turned a switch on, then left. If that's what you called programming, then I'd be an expert at that. Macon and I went in. She tapped the label saying double player, then entered hard under difficulty, and three minutes for time. She entered butcher knife and sword under weapons. "How did you…?"

"Hm, you always embedded a sword through a dummy every after your training back at home. I figured that it was your favorite weapon. Oh, and I didn't collect your hair tufts because I didn't want to clone you." Macon said and I was amazed at how smart she was. She just figured out my favorite weapon by mere signs. She tapped start now and the lights dimmed.

Macon was looking at her three o'clock and didn't see her attacker. I saw her attacker using the reflection on my sword. "Axe wielder at your twelve o'clock." She dodged as an axe was thrown and threw her butcher knife. The hologram exploded into a shower of orange holo cubes. I saw my attacker, who threw a knife. I told her to dive left and I advanced at the knife wielder. I stabbed it. Another sword wielder appeared by my side. I kicked it to Macon and she grabbed her knife and slashed at it. A spear wielder towered over Macon. She swept his legs of the ground and embedded her butcher knife on its chest. It disintegrated. I saw a flickering holo wielding a bow and arrow. I couldn't see it clearly. It was definitely an example of a hiding tribute. It shot an arrow at Macon. She dived left and fell on her side. It shot another arrow at me, but I ducked. I slashed at it with my sword but it kept disappearing. "Macon, be alert. It might come at you any second."

"BEHIND YOU!" she screamed. I dived right just in time. If I didn't we could've lost. I stabbed the holo's stomach. The holo with the bow was still hiding somewhere. Macon threw her butcher knife at me. I dived to the left, thinking Macon was crazy, but I saw a shower of cubes and figured the attacker was right behind me. Three minutes was over. The lights came back, together with the windows. We were probably pretty impressive as most of the Gamemakers got their eyes on us.

District 11 Michelle Reyes' POV

I sighed. I just needed some strength yesterday and look at what I've done! I've placed 17th! Why? I was supposed to lay low and I just tried to relieve some stress…then look, I'm suddenly 17th. I decided I should do nothing today. I curled up into a ball in the lounge area and I was attacked by memories.

"Get in, get in!" Papa says over the roaring wind and trembling earth. "Come on, faster!" The earth shakes more and I feel these stairs cracking. Mama and my little brother, who I call Bunso is below me for support. My two sisters are already inside the plane. I reach the entrance and I climb aboard. Papa hugs me tight and pushes me to a seat. Papa reaches for Mama and Bunso, but the earth shakes violently that the stairs moves. Mama jumps, carrying Bunso. Bunso clutches Mama's hand, while Papa is pulling Mama up. I hear Bunso's loud sobbing the most. As soon as Mama is on board, they begin pulling up Bunso, but Bunso's hand has slipped and he falls to the ground. I look away and hear Mama scream in agony. Papa closes the door, scrambles for a seat and the plane rises into the air. I have my last look at Manila and I see the crumbling buildings. I see the effects of yesterday's tsunami. I see everything…except for Bunso.

On the horizon, I see the sun rise. There is new hope for everyone here on this plane.

I stood. That memory had not resurfaced for so long. For the first time, I began mourning for Bunso again. That sweet innocent face of his…I walked to the ropes course to shake it off. My eyes turned to the ropes stuck to the ceiling. I was next. I jumped, grabbing the first rail. I swung to the next and continued. I felt like I was suspended in mid-air with only the ropes for support…

We ride the airplane going from Xinzang City, presently China's geographical center, to Antarctica. I can almost see the tigers ravaging the city. I remember Ki Hong's brother getting chased by the Chinese Tigers. They catch up and rip him apart. I shake my head. I see and hear Ki Hong crying. I suddenly remember Bunso…

I crack my knuckles and regulate my breathing. I can't help saying I'm excited for Antarctica more than ever. I close my eyes and rest. I know that everything would go well.

This was no time to remember stupid memories. I realized I haven't eaten lunch yet. I walked to the canteen.

District 11 Fred Anden's POV

Our alliance ate together this lunch. Joshua was silent, Ysha and Pauline focused on eating, Hanna devoured her food while Chloe tried starting conversations. "We haven't talked about yesterday's rankings though…" All eyes turned to Hanna, except for Pauline. She snorted and looked at me.

"What?" I asked, annoyed.

"Nothing. Well I remembered you said Michelle would be heavy weight. You said she would probably die first and rank 24 in the training…and yesterday, she was seventeenth, better than you and I." Pauline said smirking.

"It's luck, Pauline! She did nothing yesterday but stare at the wall." I replied. "If you want to ally with her, then go ally. Whatever."

Pauline's mouth opened in shock. "I did not mean that…I just…" Pauline shook her head. "I never thought you could be that rude…Everyone has greatness in them, Fred. You should always remember that." She transferred to another table.

"I'm just gonna go talk to Pauline." Ysha said and Joshua joined her. Chloe then said, "I'm really sorry for starting the talk…" She transferred to Pauline's table.

Hanna and I are left. Hanna looked up at me and held my hand from across the table. "Fred, I know that you are a kind, good-spirited person and I need you to believe that too."

"It's just really hard to maintain a kind personality all the time. I mean, how can people do that? Everyone has their dark side. Pauline's just probably very sensitive." I replied, conscious of our hands. "Honesty is often confused with rudeness." I pulled my hand away. Hanna transferred to the seat beside me.

"Look at me Fred. Look." I did what she asked me to do and she said, "This is probably one of the remaining days we have together—I mean, like our alliance and not us…Anyway, this is probably one of the last days we'll spend time together and you have to make the best out of it, because you'll regret you didn't have the time when they were alive."

I looked away. "I can't do this."

"If you're gonna spend the last days, spend them properly and wisely. Don't be the meanest version of you. Be the best one." Hanna smiled, putting her own hand over mine again.

"Well, I'm gonna spend them loving you." I said. I felt my face nearing hers. My heart beat went faster as our lips met.

District 12 Chloe Brooke's POV

"Guys. Look. Our plan worked." Pauline said, grinning crazily. The sight of Fred and Hanna kissing was unusual, but it was awesome. We all had known they love each other the first time they talked. "Finally it happened!"

The bell signaling the end of lunch rang. They both pulled away at the same time, blushing. I heard Fred say, "I'm…Gods, I'm really sorry Hanna… I just," They both laughed.

"It's time for training, lovebirds!" Ysha hooted, smiling. All six of us entered the training room. "What should we do today? I mean it's the last day of training…"

"All of us could compete in running…" I began then realized the track was only for five. "Except for one. I mean…who doesn't want to run?" I asked them, expecting no one to raise their hand but Hanna raised hers. "Oh. Okay…We're now five, so we can compete."

We positioned ourselves on the track. On the leftmost was Joshua. Next to him was Ysha, then I was at the middle. Beside me was Pauline then Fred was at the rightmost. The trainer (I think his name was Loki?) blew his whistle and we ran as fast as we can. For the first lap, Ysha was leading followed by me, then Joshua, then Pauline and Fred, neck-to-neck. Later on, I surpassed Ysha and Joshua became second. I finished first, with Pauline coming with a shocking second. Third was Ysha. Joshua and Fred were tied with fourth.

They were talking about what we would do next when I strayed from them and approached Beaurae. I asked her if the simulation areas could be turned into something like a dodge ball game but instead of balls holographic weapons. Beaurae nodded vigorously. "Nothing's impossible in here." She went to the side of the simulation room and opened some panel. She punched some keys and closed the panel. My friends and I went in and I said, "This'll be like dodge ball guys, but instead of balls we'll dodge weapons."

"What?!" Ysha screamed. "Like, real weapons?"

"They look real but fake… They're holographic weapons. This will help our odds in surviving?" I said. The lights dimmed and the room became wider. We separated from each other to avoid double "kills." The first weapon flew from the north side. It was one of those boomerang-type weapons. "Stay down until it disappears!" I announced, but six knives were released from the south side. I quickly jumped to avoid the one focused on mine. I then ducked to avoid the boomerang. Unfortunately, Hanna was hit by the knife. It was game over for her. She left the room and continued watching us. Pauline got struck by the boomerang. She exited and joined Hanna. Four of us left: Ysha, Joshua, Fred and I. Fred attempted catching one sword, but it "hit his stomach." He laughed while he left the room. Ysha was expertly jumping and dodging, but when her back was turned, a sickle had hit her back. She fell and Joshua and I were left. Joshua was just easily ducking and jumping, while I kept swerving, diving, and falling down. Then Joshua got hit with a sword. I looked forward and then saw a knife sailing to my forehead. I ducked, then a spear "passed through" my stomach. Game over. I breathed hard, tired. I was first place over my six friends. I smiled. I turned to them and grinned. I wished they were my friends back at home and everything was normal.

District 12 Ryan Collins' POV

Ever since Forrest got sedated, I spent more time in the lounge than really training. I kept thinking about Elizabeth. How would I survive out there for probably a month? A D12 boy who didn't do any training back at home? He will never survive the threats inside the arena. You have your inspiration, my mind whispered. Use your inspiration. Be motivated. Fight for her life. I will fight 'til the end.

The cold night air blows against my face as I sit on the roof of the Tribute Center. I shiver in fear, and also because of the cold. I shiver in fear because I am afraid of heights. But these heights may be a gift… Jumping would be easier than a sword through my skull. I stand and pace the roof. I clutch my arms tightly. This jacket could not shield me from the coldness of the night. Is it like -100 degrees Celsius here? Everything seems to be colder with fear…I glance below and immediately cringe. Then someone taps my back. I turn and see Elizabeth. I jump in shock. "Oh my gods, you gave me a heart attack!" I exclaim. She laughs.

"Don't even try jumping. There's a force field that would fry you alive." Elizabeth tells me.

"Welp. There goes my opinion that jumping would be easier." I reply. "We could jump together," I joke and she punches my arm.

She begins saying, "I trust you with my life. My heart is connected to your heart—"

"And Chloe's. Don't forget Chloe." I interrupt.

"Yes, well and Chloe's…I want you to take care out there. It would emotionally and literally kill me if you die."

"Well, we could meet in heaven and probably get married there." I shrug, trying to make her laugh but instead she sighs.

"If only we live normal lives…" she whispers.

"We could make this moment normal. We could be normal teenagers in this moment." I say and my heart beats faster. She looks up at me and I am wowed by her technicolor eyes. I gaze into them and I become easily lost. I am attracted to her. "I love you." I whisper, and slowly our lips meet. I feel a tingle.

We finally pull away, and we smile at each other. "I love you too." She says and then hugs me. After, she stands and says, "Well. It's time to sleep. Everything ends, even this perfect moment." She smiles again then leaves.

The memory made me smile. I could still feel her lips on mine. I walked to the bow and arrow station to shake things off and focus on the main problem. I needed to make my rankings go sky high. I wore the quiver and grabbed a bow from the rack. The weapon reminded me of Carissa and District 12. I shook the thought of Carissa. Thinking of her made me boil with anger. I entered the room where we should shoot birds. I glanced at the watch that is my token and set it to stopwatch. The birds suddenly entered in numerous numbers. Their annoying cawing invaded my ears. I shot them one by one with accuracy and speed. One gave me a scar that ran from the bottom of my eye to the middle of my cheek. I finished them as soon as possible. When the birds all died, I checked my watch. Two minutes and three seconds. Not bad, I thought.

I walked to the dagger station but before I could get inside the mutt simulation room, the bell signaling the end of the last day of training rang. I sighed in exhaust. It would be impossible that I was rank one.

Zeus Fairbanks' POV

I watched the Gamemaker enter my office and hand me the envelope. It had today's rankings and also inside the envelope was the final training ranking. I sighed. These poor kids… In few days' time one of them will come out and the rest will drop dead. I didn't really want to be part of these Games…The salary is just really high and I needed to feed my family…

I slowly opened the envelope and read the rankings. The cameraman began, "Mr. Fairbanks…we're on in five…four…three…two…" He signaled me and I grinned as big as I can.

"Welcome to the Daily Updates for the 29th Hunger Games! I'm Zeus Fairbanks and I give you today's training rankings! For twenty-second place…we have a triple tie! Clyde Miller from Nine, Forrest Oakley from Seven and Aeron Sciron from Two! Twenty-first placer is Fiske Clifford from Six, followed by twentieth placer Michelle Reyes from Eleven. Jameica Willows of Seven is nineteenth. Leandro Tesla of Five is eighteenth. Seventeenth is Kyle Chrysler of Six. For sixteenth place, we have Hanna Tesla from Five. Fifteenth placer is Diana Rose Ceres from Nine. Fourteenth is Pauline Velvet from Eight! Fred Anden of Eleven is thirteenth. Twelfth is none other than Joshua Combe from One! Ooh, Joshua had improved. Ysha Integrato of Three takes the eleventh spot. Francis Pixley of Three follows; he is tenth. Our male tribute from Eight, Christian Wright, is ninth. The Sapphire girl from One, Alliah, is eighth. Our Victor's daughter from Two, Ace Domitia, is seventh. Capitol's Flame Girl, Aidien Cressida of Four, is sixth. Guess who fifth place is? Yep! It's Chloe Brooke from Twelve. Ryan Collins, also from Twelve, is fourth. That leaves us with the male from Four and the pair from Ten. Cjay Eaton from Four had placed third! Kurt Caprin from Ten is second. That means Macon Artemisia from Ten is our first placer for today's rankings! Congratulations, Macon. You've earned it…

Now folks, we're gonna display the final training ranking of the tributes… Here it is!"

24th: Fiske Clifford, 6
23rd: Clyde Miller, 9
22nd: Jameica Willow, 7
21st: Michelle Reyes, 11
20th: Leandro Tesla, 5
19th: Pauline Velvet, 8
18th: Kyle Chrysler, 6
17th: Joshua Combe, 1
16th: Fred Anden, 11
14th: Diana Rose Ceres, 9 and Ysha Integrato, 3
13th: Aeron Sciron, 2
12th: Hanna Tesla, 5
11th: Christian Wright, 8
10th: Forrest Oakley, 7
9th: Macon Artemisia, 10
8th: Alliah Sapphire, 1
5th: Chloe Brooke, 12 ; Kurt Caprin, 10 and Francis Pixley, 3
4th: Amelia "Ace" Domitia, 2
3rd: Ryan Collins, 12
2nd: Aidien Cressida, 4
1st: Cjay Eaton, 4

"Congratulations to Cjay! Tune in tomorrow night for the tributes' individual training scores! After that night will be the interviews and then the next morning will all be about what you're waiting for: The Hunger Games! Goodnight Panem and Capitol."

Third Person POV

The girl with long, brown, wavy hair entered the white-walled room. On the single bed laid the sedated boy. D2's Wonder Boy. The Capitolites associated with these Games specifically asked her to assist this boy. They didn't even say any valid reason. The boy had bruises all over his body and his knuckles…Let's just say he punched things often. The girl opened the boy's hand and put some special ointment on the wounds on his knuckles. He moaned and groaned.

"Stop, it stings…" he managed to say.

"Well, if you're gonna win the Games, these kinds of pain should be nothing." The girl rudely replied. The boy frowned and yanked his hand away from her "care."

"Who the hell are you anyway?" the boy narrowed his eyes. "Oh I remember you. You're the beautiful escort of Twelve. Why are you here?"

Elizabeth frowned at beautiful. "Well, your mentors have specifically asked me to care for you." She said, completely disgusted.

"Oh man! Just admit it. You like me, that's why you volunteered to care for me." The boy said and added quickly, "If you admitted it earlier, I would have just kissed you, partly because I've desired you ever since I laid my eyes on you."

Elizabeth slapped my face, even though the boy could see a hint of a smile. "Shut up loverboy. I don't like you. And it would be disgusting to kiss those lips. I already love someone."

"By the way, the name is Aeron Sciron, not loverboy." He replied. "Are you sure you already love him? Don't you want some of this?" He pointed to his arms, then Elizabeth felt like she was about to vomit. "What's my ranking in the final?"

"Thirteenth, because you were twenty-second today, Elizabeth shortly replied as she tended to his bruises.

"Well, that sucks. Anyway, they're just rankings. They don't define a person. They don't define someone's life. I will surely emerge as Victor. No doubts." Aeron nodded assuringly.

"Ugh. I have no time to hear all of these lies." She said then left without a word.

"That girl surely has an attitude…" Aeron said to himself. "But I think I love her."